That must mean something, according to Jessie Armstead, the skeptic, who acknowledges there are signs everywhere that the Giants’ offense no longer is some pop-gun attack.

Seeing, though, is not believing, not even after his offensive teammates this summer did a number on Armstead’s own defensive unit in an intra-squad scrimmage.

Armstead’s retort: All well and good, but show me on a Sunday, when the opponent is wearing a different color uniform.

Yes, indeed, that was the Viking starting defense that was shredded on Friday night – by Kent Graham’s right arm, Sean Bennett’s sure hands and fast feet and by almost everyone else dressed in the road whites of the Giants.

When the bells and whistles finally were quieted, the Giants had themselves a sensational preseason debut, romping 36-21 inside the friendly confines of the Metrodome.

Even Armstead was impressed, although he remains cautious in offering his stamp of approval just yet.

This hesitancy is quite understandable, as members of the Giants’ proud defense have been fooled and frustrated too often in the last five years. Still, it is impossible not to notice and be captivated by the evidence that continues to surface. The Giants have two strong-armed quarterbacks, a more athletic group of receivers, a more talented offensive line. If their running backs get healthy, this could at long last be the end of a horrendously extended stretch of offensive ineptitude.

“It’s a totally different feeling than last year,” defensive end Michael Strahan said. “Everybody’s a little more confident in what we can do.”

Asked if he has ever, in his previous six years with the Giants, seen offensive teammates play so freely and easily and effectively as the starters did in amassing a 17-0 lead on the Vikings, Strahan added, “Not since I’ve been here. They were able to move the ball pretty much at will. On third downs you have confidence they were going to convert it. If they have a long way to go and they still look like that, it’s pretty encouraging.”

This is a huge first step in the right direction for the Giants, as appeasing their strong-willed defense remains a crucial ingredient to a successful season. Too often, a tiring defense has been forced to remain on the field too long and on the sideline for too-brief rests while the three-and-out offensive brigade stumbled and bumbled. If leaders such as Strahan and Armstead become true believers, the harmony of the entire team will be fortified.

“To me the difference was I expected it this time,” safety Percy Ellsworth said. “When they played us in the scrimmage we didn’t let them get a thing, they just went at us. We knew we had a good defense, and if they can do that against us they have no reason not to do that against anybody else.” *Like everyone else, coach Jim Fassel was impressed with the debut of rookie RB Sean Bennett. “He played the game like the athlete he is,” Fassel said. “He played with a great sense of confidence, it looked like.” …

Staying aggressive all night, even with reserves playing most of the final three quarters, the Giant defense registered an incredible nine sacks, good for losses of 112 yards. … MLB Pete Monty, coming back from a series of injuries, was solid with 10 tackles, while DE Frank Ferrara had two sacks.

This was the first game action for C Brian Williams in more than two years, as he is making a return from an eye injury that nearly forced him into retirement. “I still feel a little rusty,” Williams said. “Other than that, we got off to a great start. It’s great to be back with the guys for gametime.”